Poll: More in US See Progress in Iraq

Iraqi women watch as a U.S. army soldier from Blackfoot Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment patrols a street on the outskirts of Muqdadiyah in the volatile Diyala province, about 90 kilometers (56 miles) north of Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic) (Marko Drobnjakovic - AP)

WASHINGTON -- Growing numbers of people think the U.S. is making progress in Iraq and will eventually be able to claim some success there, a poll showed Tuesday in a sign the politics of the war could become more complicated for Democrats.

With diminishing U.S. and Iraqi casualties and the start of modest troop withdrawals, the public's mood seems to have brightened a bit, the Associated Press-Ipsos poll showed. That is a rarity in what has been a relentlessly unpopular war.

"I still have hopes the people in Iraq will appreciate us being there," said Daniel Laird, 30, a firefighter from Yuba City, Calif., who leans Republican and was questioned in the survey. "It just seems like we are making a difference."

Even so, majorities remain upset about the conflict and convinced the invasion was a mistake, and the issue still splits the country deeply along party lines.

About three-fourths of respondents describe themselves as worried about what's happening in Iraq and nearly six in 10 say they are angry _ slight reductions since February, but still strong majorities harboring negative feelings on the eve of an election year. Most Democrats and independents _ joined by sizable numbers of Republicans _ say they are worried, tired, even angry.

People are most positive are about recent gains in security in Iraq.

The poll showed a nearly even division over whether President Bush's troop increase this year has helped stabilize the country, with 50 percent saying no and 47 percent yes. Just three months ago, only 36 percent said yes.

By 52 percent to 41 percent, most said the U.S. is making progress in Iraq. When AP-Ipsos last asked that question in September 2006 _ a time when vicious sectarian attacks resembled a civil war _ just 39 percent saw improvements under way.

While far greater proportions of Republicans than Democrats think progress is being made, even growing numbers of Democrats agree. The portion of Democrats saying the troop increase has helped stabilize the country has nearly doubled since September to 26 percent, and the number saying the U.S. is making progress has shown similar growth.

For many Democrats, though, the gains are seen as tentative.

"Yes, there's been progress, but I don't think it will be long-term," said Regina Pitts, 51, a Democrat from Fairview, Tenn. "We can't stay there forever and babysit."

By some measures, peoples' longer-range views of U.S. accomplishments are also becoming more optimistic.